U.S.–Canada agricultural trade crucial for a prosperous industry

With a new U.S. administration around the corner, Canada’s ag minister stresses the importance of ag trade across the border

Agricultural trade between the United States and Canada was a topic of discussion amongst government representatives of both countries.

Lawrence MacAulay, Canadian minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, presented a keynote address on our trading relationship with the U.S. at the Legislative Agriculture Chairs Summit of the State Agriculture and Rural Leaders (SARL) Jan 7.

MacAulay pledged that, as the U.S. administration faces upcoming changes, he will continue to work to strengthen the agriculture trading partnership between the two countries, according to a Jan. 8 release.

He also outlined many benefits that arise from this Canada-U.S. agriculture relationship, including the fact that further trade collaboration will promote prosperous and globally-competitive markets.

“This summit is a prime example of the strong agricultural trade partnership that exists between the U.S. and Canada. The U.S. is our closest friend, partner, and most important economic relationship,” MacAulay said in the release.

This economic relationship represented $47 billion of agriculture and agri-food products traded in 2015, according to AAFC.

This partnership shows value throughout the industry, MacAulay said.

“Working together to identify opportunities for our farmers offers them the best opportunity to succeed, grow our economies, and create jobs.”

Provincial and U.S. state legislators gather at the SARL summit annually.

Farms.com has reached out to AAFC for further comment on the future of the Canada-U.S. agricultural partnership.